Jemma goes second as she defeats Laura
Jemma Reekie returned to action in style by edging out Scottish superstar and training partner Laura Muir.
Before lockdown hit, Kilbarchan AAC talent Reekie bagged Muir’s mile and 1500m records as she chased down the middledistance expert and European Champion.
On their welcome return to the track at the Triveneto meeting in Trieste at the weekend, the 800m clash between the two Scots and close friends didn’t disappoint.
During a thrilling two-lap encounter, Reekie kicked hard with 200m to go and forced a photo finish between the pair.
The 22- year- old won by just two hundredths of a second, further cementing her place as a serious rival to Muir’s dominance and lifting herself to second in the world rankings in the process.
Reekie said: “Happy to get a sub two minutes outdoors for the first time and always wanting more.
“At the start of the year I was thinking I’d really like to make the Olympics this year.
“Now I can start making plans to do even more than that.”
Jemma’s 1:59.52 saw her pip Muir’s 1:59.54 for the top place on the podium.
The result was an outdoor personal best for Jemma, and is currently a world-leading time with very few races taking place so far this year.
Both athletes are coached by Andy Young and have been isolating together in Muir’s Glasgow home over lockdown to allow them to train together.
Despite their friendship off the track, their competitiveness on it could see them push each other all the way to Olympic success next year.